Clothes-line prop.



Nix 800,236.

PATENTED SEPT. 26, 1905.

a. NIOKENS. GLOTHES'LINE PROP.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 15.1903- UNITED STATES.

PA ENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 26, 1905.

Application filed October 15,1903. Serial No. 177,188.

T0 at whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE NIOKENS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Decatur, in the county of Macon and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improve: ments in Clothes-Line Props, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in clothes-line props, and more particularly to an attachment therefor whereby the line may i be quickly adjusted to various heights and retained in said adjusted positions. I

My improvements will be more particularly pointed out and readily understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, and wherein a preferable embodiment of my invention is disclosed for the purpose of illustration.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of my attachment applied to a clothes-line prop, said attachment being in open position. Fig. 2 is a similar view, the attachment being in closed position. Fig. 3 is anend elevation, and Figs. 4 and 5 are views of modified forms of the locking feature of my attachment. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail view of the hook K shown in Fig. 4:.

Referring more particularly to the draw ings, wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts inthe several views,

A represents a clothes-line prop of any desired form, preferably extensible, as shown, and B my attachment therefor, said attachment being conveniently formed of metal and having a hollow base portion 0 adapted to detachably engage the upper end of the prop A. The portion 0 terminates in a.tapering top 0, and integral therewith at one side is an elongated flat extension D, constituting a jaw, said extension having an inwardly-turned end E. Pivotally secured to a recessed portion a of the end E by a suitable bolt e is an elongated member F, similar in form to the elongated member D, previously described, constituting an opposing jaw and having an outwardly-extending portion f terminating in a handle f at its lower end, The contiguous edges of the elongated members orjaws D and F, respectively, are recessed or grooved, as at G, throughout their length, the respective pairs of grooves'being complementary to Upon the inner side of the base C is a laterally-extended upwardly-curved arm H, arranged to fit loosely within and be slidably engaged by an apertured portion f in the outw'ardly-extended portion f of the member F.

I is a series of apertures passing through the arm H and arranged to be engaged by the end j of the spring-actuated latch J, pivotally secured to the handle f at a point outside of the portion f. It will thus be seen that by disengaging the latch J from the apertures I the movable jaw F may be swung outwardly and disengaged from the arm H. A line being inserted between the jaws D and F is adjusted to engage a pair of the grooves G, whereupon the jaw F may be swung to its closed position to clamp the rope in adjusted position, the jaws being locked in place against movement by the latch J.

While I have shown and described as the preferable form of retaining device for the jaws the latch J, many different forms of looking means may be employed in connection with the curved arm H. j For instance, as shown in Fig. 4:, a hook K, attached to the base 0 by a chain k or the like, may be employed, and also, as shown in Fig. 5, the arm H may have a toothed portion or ratchet L upon its under surface, arranged to be engaged by a pivoted dog M.

' It is obvious that many minor changes may be made in the details of construction without in the least departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

1. In an attachment for clothes-line props, the combination with a jaw, havinga series of recesses, of an opposing jaw pivoted to the first-mentioned jaw at its upper end and common to all of said recesses, and means for locking said jaws in clamping position.

2. In a clothes-line prop, a jaw having recesses upon its inner surface arranged at different elevations, an opposing jaw pivoted to thefirst-mentioned jaw adjacent its upper end and having recesses upon its inner surface complementary to the recesses above described.

In a clothes-linefprop, means for engagingthe line at different elevations including a pivoted member, a member arranged to cooperate therewith, said members being provided with a plurality of oppositely-disposed complementary recesses, arranged at different I elevations and varying" in size, and means for member arranged to engage the arm to lock TO looking said members together to retain the the members together. line in its adjusted position. In testimony whereof I ailix my signature 4. In a clothes-line prop, means for engagin presence of two witnesses. ing theline atdifl'erent elevations, inoluding a G EOhHE DICKENS plvoted member having a plurality 0t recesses upon its inner surface, a member arranged \Vitnesses: to cooperate therewith, an arm upon said 00- E. S. PARKS,

operating member, and means on the pivoted F. R. Goons. 

